Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Mission Children's Hospital is home to the region's only Level III Neonatal ICU and hosts approximately 900 admissions each year. Neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners lead care along with neonatal nurses, pediatric respiratory therapists and many infant-focused multidisciplinary care team members.This team cares for high-risk newborns born with infections and respiratory, surgical or genetic diagnoses, as well as babies who are born prematurely. The team strives to actively partner with parents to provide compassionate and outstanding care. Infant Transport Team The infant transport team provides service for infants requiring transfer to and from Mission Hospital in Asheville, where Mission Children’s Hospital NICU is located. The team services 18 counties of western North Carolina, however also can travel to Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Approximately 200 infants per year are transferred by the team to Mission Children’s Hospital NICU. The ability to travel by helicopter (air) and ground allows the team to travel long distances in any type of weather. This specialized team includes highly-skilled neonatal nurses along with pediatric respiratory therapists with years of experience and advanced training. The team, available 24/7, utilizes specialty equipment mobile incubators equipped with ventilators, monitors, IV pumps, a heat source and much more. This allows the team to bring the ICU to the tiniest patient in order to stabilize the infant before the transfer back to Mission Hospital. During the transport, the team is in contact with the neonatologist at Mission Children’s Hospital. The team provides safe, rapid transport while providing your baby with advanced care along the way. This team also provides same level of care to high risk infant who have been home, within the 18 county region, to Mission Hospital pediatrics or pediatric intensive care units. Huff Center Therapies Developmental Follow-Up Program The Developmental Follow-Up Program at Mission Children's Hospital sees babies who need special care after birth, are at risk for developmental delays or have ongoing medical needs. Our team of medical and developmental specialists follows children during their early years to prevent, identify or treat problems related to development, growth, nutrition and overall health. We work with primary care providers, medical specialists and other community agencies to coordinate care for children and families. We are the only program in the region that integrates developmental services with comprehensive medical follow up for at-risk infants and toddlers. Many patients are referred to our program from the NICU or other pediatric units of Mission Children's Hospital. We also accept referrals from primary care physicians.